The President did not rule out that within the framework of the integration of the two states, after the settlement of the situation in the economy, it will be possible to speak of a union parliament. However, for this it is necessary, in his words, to “grow up”. This has not been discussed yet
Russia and Belarus in the future may have a union parliament, but for this you need to “grow up” first, President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference following talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, broadcast by RBC. At the same time, the head of state stressed that the issue of the union parliament was not discussed at the meeting.
“We believe that first of all it is necessary to deal with the economy, and then everything will naturally require additional regulation. Including, perhaps, at the level of the Union parliament, I do not rule out that such a one can be created, ”Putin said.
“But for this you need, as they say, grow up,” the president continued. “We did not discuss this, and such issues were not on the agenda.”
He also noted that, despite the “nobility” of the goal of political integration of the two states, first you need to create an economic basis, “a foundation in order to move on, including on the political track.”
Commenting on the results of negotiations with Lukashenko, Putin noted that Moscow and Minsk had agreed to pursue a common macroeconomic policy, harmonize monetary policy, integrate payment systems, ensure information security, and deepen cooperation in the customs and tax spheres.
Lukashenko, in turn, noted that today 28 programs for the integration of Russia and Belarus within the Union State are at their last stage. They represent the main major topics and areas of cooperation between the two countries, the Belarusian president added. He stressed that their adoption will be a breakthrough.
Prior to the start of negotiations, Putin said that it was necessary to “finalize” the integration agreements. “In some key areas, the experts have agreed, we need to synchronize watches with you, to put a point,” he noted.
At the end of August, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko announced that the presidents at a meeting in Moscow on September 9 will sign all the “road maps”, the approval process of which has been going on for three years. Integration has been actively discussed since late 2018, but some key issues, including Minsk’s demands to cut gas and oil prices and compensate for losses from the Russian tax maneuver, slowed down the negotiation process.
Initially, the plans included the approval of 31 “road maps”, but later they were replaced by 28 “union programs”. Semashko said in August that out of 28 programs, only one, gas, remained uncoordinated.
Putin said that all 28 programs for the Union State have been coordinated
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko agreed on all 28 programs for the Union State. The Russian leader said this at a press conference following the talks in Moscow.
According to him, the documents deal with the integration of currency systems, the principles of levying indirect taxes, and the fight against terrorism. Macroeconomic policy will become unified, countries will integrate payment systems and harmonize monetary policy.
By December 1, 2023, they will sign an agreement on a single gas market. At the same time, the price of Russian blue fuel for Minsk in 2022 will remain at the level of 2021 – $ 128.5 per thousand cubic meters. While its cost in the European market is $ 650 per thousand cubic meters, Putin recalled. In addition, the negotiations provided for the unification of oil and oil products markets, as well as an agreement on a single electricity market. “Ultimately, this will give a powerful impetus, stimulus to further growth of the economies of the two countries, will help increase labor productivity, serve the interests of large, medium and small businesses, and help create additional jobs,” Putin said.
He stressed that Russian and Belarusian business circles will have the opportunity to expand their activity on the territory of the Union State, including by creating joint ventures and increasing export opportunities.
Moscow and Minsk are also moving towards a unified industrial policy and mutual access to government purchases and government orders, the president said.
“As part of the implementation of the union programs, unified approaches will be developed to legislation in the field of labor relations, labor protection, employment of the population, social insurance, pensions, support for families with children,” Putin continued.
In addition, the presidents discussed the construction of a common defense space and security on the outer perimeter, including the upcoming West 2021 joint maneuvers.
“These exercises are not directed against anyone, but their conduct is logical in conditions when other associations, NATO, for example, are actively building up their military presence near the borders of the Union State and the CSTO space,” Putin explained.
According to the Russian leader, the development of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Union State remains an unconditional strategic priority for Moscow and Minsk.
In turn, Lukashenko noted that integration is mutually beneficial.
“There is nothing bad for the peoples of Belarus and Russia in these programs and could not be. Everything is aimed at increasing the well-being of our peoples,” he said at a press conference.
Russia and Belarus signed an agreement on the creation of the Union State on December 8, 1999. By the 20th anniversary of the document, a working group was created to develop industry roadmaps. Then Moscow and Minsk reformatted them into union integration programs. Most of them are calculated until 2025, some until 2027. Both Moscow and Minsk have repeatedly stressed that the union programs do not contain political issues related to the loss of sovereignty.
Tomorrow Minsk will host a meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers, at which the prime ministers are to sign integration programs. The Supreme State Council of the Union State can accept them already at the end of October.
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko (from right to left) (Photo: Mikhail Metzel / TASS)
